Manchester City’s challenge for the Premier League title has already become more interesting after Arsenal maintained their perfect start with a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa.
Arsenal have won their first two league matches without conceding, putting early pressure on the other major title contenders. Their latest victory came through Bukayo Saka, who scored in the 59th minute at Villa Park.
The significance is not simply the six points.
Arsenal have shown that they can win difficult away matches without producing a spectacular attacking performance. That kind of efficiency can become extremely valuable during a title race.
Manchester City, meanwhile, know that dropping points early can create unnecessary pressure later in the campaign.
The competition is expected to be fierce, with several clubs spending heavily and strengthening their squads.
Arsenal’s defensive record will particularly interest City supporters. Keeping two consecutive clean sheets suggests Arteta’s side may have found an effective formula for controlling matches.
However, the season remains extremely young.
City have enormous experience of title races and know how to respond when rivals make strong starts. Arsenal also face the challenge of balancing domestic football with European competition.
The first major test for Arsenal comes against Chelsea, another team that has started strongly.
If Arsenal win again, the conversation around their title defence will become much louder.
For Manchester City and the rest of the Premier League, the message is simple: Arsenal are already setting the pace.